Wants To Turn Amateur

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 13

Wants To Turn Amateur

“The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON. The Australian professional cyclist David Gee has settled in Wellington and wants to be re-instat-ed as an amateur.

Gee campaigned in New Zealand successfully for several seasons before joining the cash ranks in Victoria a year ago. His application for reinstatement is now before the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association’s council but opinions are varied about the decision. Immediate reinstatement

could indicate that the barrier between amateurs and professionals is too thin. But the presence of a man of Gee’s ability could only be beneficial to amateur cycling both in Wellington and New Zealand. Former cash contestants are not eligible for Olympic or Empire Games teams, so Gee’s rewards would be limited. However, he said he would still like to return to his peak. He has already been on tough training excursions with other local riders such as the Olympic representative, D. Thomson, and the former

rational champion, B. Goldsworthy, both of whom live near Gee at Paraparaumu. Possibly the most consistent roadman in Australia’s strongest state, Victoria, over the last five years, Gee surprisingly failed to gain places in national Games teams. But his record was far more impressive than many others who raced for Australia.

Though he competed in many races here, Gee is best remembered for has brilliant last-stage win in the Dulux Six Day race. In 1963 and 1964 he was first man into Wellington.